Everything you need to know about Dragonseeds on House of the Dragon

The Targaryens might have had many weird customs, like marrying your siblings, but the ancient Westerosi weren’t very far behind either. For many years, until King Jahaerys I banned it, they followed a custom where any lord or King could bed a newlywed bride of a subordinate or common folk. This tradition was named the ‘First Night.’

Although the Targaryens did not start this custom, they participated in it since they settled in Dragonstone. The commonfolk looked at Targaryens like mystical beings and wished for Targaryen Kings and lords to follow the custom with their wives. Children born of this nuptial, technically Targaryen bastards, were labeled “dragonseeds” and showered with riches.

In the time of The Dance of the Dragons, Queen Rhaenyra’s side had more dragons than dragonriders, so her eldest son called for anyone to try their hand at bonding with a dragon. If successful, the person’s sons would be given noble titles, and their daughters would be married to lords.

They would be offered lands and knighthood. Though many tried, only a few succeeded in their attempts, namely Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, Nettles, and Addam of Hull. It’s not officially stated if they all were Targaryen bastards, but they were referred to as Dragonseeds nonetheless.

House of the Dragon Season 2 gave us our first introduction to the Dragonseeds via the episode “The Red Sowing.” Though many details were changed from the books, the core of their story has remained the same. Here is everything we know about the Dragonseeds in House of the Dragon.

Read More: When is House of the Dragon Season 2 coming out? Everything we know about the second season

Hugh Hammer

Credit: HBO

Hugh was born on Dragonstone as a bastard to a blacksmith. Although illiterate, he was described as huge and strong enough to steel bars with his hands. Hugh succeeded in mounting Vermithor, the largest dragon alive at the time after Vhagar. He proved himself a worthy dragonrider in the Battle of the Gullet.

But later on, he betrayed the Blacks and defected to the Greens in the First Battle of Tumbleton. The blacks were about to emerge victorious when Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White turned their dragons towards the town and burnt thousands of soldiers and civilians.

Hugh then aspired to take the Iron Throne for himself, saying, “Why be a lord when you can be a king?” His delusion gained more support after hearing a prophecy that said, “When the Hammer shall fall upon the dragon, a new king shall arise, and none shall stand before him.”

Hugh and a few other soldiers believed the prophecy was about him since he was called Hugh Hammer. Before he could get further than making a crown for himself, he was killed in the Second Battle of Tumbleton.

In House of the Dragon, Hugh is a blacksmith in King’s Landing. Actor Kieran Bew plays him. He is the bastard son of Princess Saera Targaryen. Hugh is married to Kat and has a sick daughter. After the Dance of the Dragons begins, Hugh is tasked with forging weapons for the Crown but struggles due to rising iron costs.

He petitions King Aegon II for payment, which is granted. Despite this, his daughter dies. Grief-stricken, Hugh seeks to claim a dragon. He succeeds in claiming Vermithor and becoming a dragonrider.

Ulf the White

Credit: HBO

Ulf was a man-at-arms before the dragon Silverwing accepted him as her rider. After fighting valiantly in the Battle of the Gullet, Prince Daemon Targaryen suggested Ulf be wed to the daughter of a late Lord. Rhaenyra declined to offer Ulf a chance at becoming a Lord and instead granted him and Hugh knighthood.

Daemon suggested Ulf be granted the seat of Storm’s End, but noting Corlys Velaryon’s strong objection, Rhaenyra refused this.

Hugh and Ulf betrayed the blacks and were henceforth known as the Two Betrayers. Prince Daeron Targaryen of the Greens made Ulf the Lord of Bitterbridge. Still, he was not satisfied and instead demanded to become the lord of Highgarden. Mushroom, an unreliable narrator in the Fire&Blood series, claims that Ulf raped three maidens every night and fed people he did not like to his dragon.

He survived the Second Battle of Tumbleton because he was so drunk that he slept through it all. After hearing of Hugh’s death, Ulf planned to claim the Iron Throne owing to his pale hair, which might suggest a Valyrian descent. He was poisoned before he could make that happen.

In House of the Dragon, Ulf lives in King’s Landing during the Dance of the Dragons. Actor Tom Bennet plays him. He claims to be the bastard son of Prince Baelon Targaryen. Known as a sot and raconteur, Ulf often boasts about his Targaryen heritage, though he admits he isn’t sure if it’s true.

He supports Rhaenyra Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne and Jacaerys Velaryon as her heir. While in King’s Landing, Ulf steals food, shares tales in taverns, and stirs unrest among the commoners by criticizing the royal family for feasting while the people starve. He later visits Dragonstone, where he claims Silverwing.

Nettles

Credit: Hylora

Nettles was a brown-skinned girl of small stature. While her father is unknown, Mushroom claims her mother was an escort. She grew up homeless with a habit of thieving and was described by archmaester Gyldayn as “not pretty.” Nettles became Sheepstealer’s first-ever rider and fought bravely in the Battle of the Gullet at sixteen.

While searching for Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar, the young rider and Prince Daemon used Maidenpool as their base.  In the Chronicles of Maidenpool, the maester Norren stated that the dragonriders had the first and last meal of the day together but slept in separate bedrooms. He claimed that Daemon looked after Nettles “as a man might dote upon his daughter” and taught her basic manners and courtesies. Daemon is said to have gifted her expensive things, and they take baths together in the same tub.

After the incident with the Two Betrayers, Rhaenyra quickly distrusted all the dragonseeds. Adding fuel to the fire, Lady Mysaria, who acted as Rhaenyra’s Master of Whispers, informed her of the rumors surrounding Daemon and Nettles.

Rhaenyra was outraged and sent a letter to the lord of Maidenpool to deliver Nettles’ head to her but not to cause her husband any harm. But Daemon helped Nettles escape on Sheepstealer and then disappeared.

Daemon never returned to Rhaenyra and died after defeating Aemond Targaryen. But since his body was never found, few believe that he found his way back to Nettles. A few years later, Ser Robert Rowan’s army faced Sheepstealer and Nettles in a cave on their way to the Vale. After the fight, the duo was said to have flown deeper into the Mountains of the Moon.

Nettles has not appeared in House of the Dragon thus far. Her character may have been merged with Rhaena Targaryen’s.

Addam of Hull

Credit: HBO

Addam and Alyn were the sons of Marilda of Hull, the daughter of a shipwright, who claimed they were the sons of Laenor Velaryon. Although the younger could not succeed in taming a dragon, Addam could ride his alleged father’s dragon, Seasmoke. After this, Corlys Velaryon petitioned for the brothers to be legitimized, and Rhaenyra complied.

Soon Addam became the heir to Driftmark at the age of fifteen. He also fought to the best of his ability in the First Battle of Tumbleton. But after the betrayal, Rhaenyra called for the capture of Addam. Corlys couldn’t idly stand by and warned Addam to escape. The Blacks imprisoned Corlys for this.

Addam wanted to prove that not all bastards were traitors and attacked Tumbleton at night. He took the greens by surprise and was prepared to take on 5 dragons himself.

He rallied almost four thousand men with him to this fight. The young Velaryon died in battle, fighting his battle against the other dragons, including the much bigger Vermithor. Ultimately, the Greens lost this battle thanks to Addam’s sacrifice.

In House of the Dragon, Addam of Hull is the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon. He previously worked as a shipwright in the Velaryon fleet. Actor Clinton Liberty plays him. While helping repair the Sea Snake, Addam reconnects with Alyn, who is hesitant to accept a position offered by their father, Lord Corlys.

Addam encourages Alyn to embrace their Velaryon heritage, hoping to gain their father’s recognition. Later, while foraging on Driftmark, Addam encounters Seasmoke and unintentionally bonds with the dragon. Rhaenyra Targaryen confronts Addam but accepts his loyalty after he bends the knee to her. Addam then offers his service to Rhaenyra, who welcomes him to Dragonstone. Corlys eventually acknowledges Addam’s rise.